Final Post

     Throughout this play, many themes were presented to the audience, and in this case the reader. A lot of them were spoken by the characters as broad statements about life in general. Some were more clear, while others took a while to completely understand.
      One huge theme in this play is that money cannot buy one happiness. People in our generation are obsessed with success and specifically making inordinate amounts of money. Many citizens aspire to be in certain professions solely because of the salary. Although having financial support is important, I personally do not think you can or should base your entire life around it. At the end of the day, having many extravagant material possessions is not going to keep you content in the long run. Biff even says, "Why am I trying to become what I don't want to be? What am I doing in an office, making a contemptuous, begging fool of myself, when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am!" This theme has been said in the payand repeatedly in reality.You cannot force yourself into a career just so you can make money. 
     One of my favorite quotes from this play was when Willy says, "The world is an oyster, but you don't crack it open on a mattress!" I love this motif because its a creative way of saying life is tough, can hold great things, and if you work hard you can achieve. You cannot expect to have the riches and success of life if you slack and do not try to make something of yourself. If you work hard, you will be rewarded and feel accomplished. 
     A final theme is following your dreams. As cliche as it sounds, the future and careers were a huge part in the lives of the characters. Everyone has a different dream they wish to achieve, and in this case Biff and Willy had different ideas. Willy was interested in the "American Dream" which is why he raised Biff in order to be achieved through his son. He wanted to be popular, and he loved living through Biff and his fame in high school. When Biff got off track, Willy became disappointed in him. The theme of living your dreams is important and ties in to money not being able to buy you happiness. This play showed that living for money does not measure up to the happiness gained from following your heart as opposed to being more concerned with your wallet.